Bottom pad/bumper assembly for loading docks

ABSTRACT

A bottom pad assembly for sealing a bottom opening formed when a vehicle is parked adjacent to a loading dock includes a first mounting bracket positioned adjacent to a first end of a dock opening. A second mounting bracket is positioned adjacent to second end of a dock opening. The second end is displaced a predetermined distance relative to the first end. A bottom pad extends between the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket for engaging a rear portion of a vehicle parked adjacent to a loading dock. A clearance space is formed between the bottom pad and a loading dock. The clearance space selectively receives a portion of a leveler for facilitating the loading and unloading of a vehicle when the vehicle is full and the leveler can not be lowered into the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A bottom pad assembly for sealing a bottom opening formed when a vehicleis parked adjacent to a loading dock includes a clearance space formedbetween the bottom pad and a loading dock wherein the clearance spaceselectively receives a portion of a leveler for facilitating the loadingand unloading of a vehicle when the vehicle is full and the leveler isnot able to be lowered into the vehicle.

2. Description of Background Art

Loading docks normally include side pads seals and a top pad seal forsealing a space that occurs when a vehicle such as a trailer is parkedat a loading dock for loading or unloading. However, a bottom pad wasnot previously provided in view of the fact that individuals would betraversing the gap between the vehicle and the dock opening. If foammaterial is disposed in the gap between the vehicle and the dock openingthe material would not be suitable to support an individual walkingacross the gap or for a handcart to traverse the gap during loading orunloading of the vehicle.

Dock boards have been used to span the gap between the dock opening andthe vehicle to facilitate ingress and egress from the vehicle. The dockboards normally include guides that project from a lower surface of thedock boards for preventing the dock boards from sliding. Thus, it wasnot possible to seal the bottom opening of the loading dock.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bottom padassembly for sealing the gap formed between a floor of a vehicle and thefloor of a dock opening when a vehicle is parked adjacent to the loadingdock.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clearance spacedisposed between the floor of the dock opening and the bottom pad forreceiving a portion of a leveler for facilitating the loading andunloading of the vehicle when the vehicle is full and the leveler is notable to be lowered into the vehicle.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved byproviding a bottom pad assembly for sealing a gap or bottom openingformed when a vehicle is parked adjacent to a loading dock that includesa first mounting bracket positioned adjacent to a first end of a dockopening. A second mounting bracket is positioned adjacent to a secondend of the dock opening. The second end is displaced a predetermineddistance relative to the first end. A bottom pad extends between thefirst mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket for engaging arear portion of a vehicle parked adjacent to a loading dock. A clearancespace is formed between the bottom pad and a loading dock. The clearancespace selectively receives a portion of a leveler for facilitating theloading and unloading of a vehicle when the vehicle is full and theleveler is not able to be lowered into the vehicle.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, aregiven by way of illustration only, since various changes andmodifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawingswhich are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitativeof the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a bottom pad assembly disposedadjacent to a floor of a dock opening;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view illustrating the bottom pad assemblydisposed adjacent to a floor of a dock opening;

FIG. 3 is a right side view illustrating the movable relationship of thebottom pad assembly relative to a mounting bracket;

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a leveler that is movably mountedrelative to the dock opening to permit a distal end of the leveler to belowered into a vehicle during loading and unloading;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged right side view illustrating the bottom pad beingdisengaged from the mounting bracket; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the movable relationship of thebottom pad assembly relative to a mounting bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a bottom pad assembly 10 is mounted to aloading dock 11 so as to seal a gap or bottom opening that is formedwhen a vehicle, for example a trailer or a truck, is parked adjacent tothe loading dock 11. A first mounting bracket 12 is positioned adjacentto a first end 22 of a dock opening 13. A second mounting bracket 14 ispositioned adjacent to a second end 24 of the dock opening 13. Thesecond end 24 of the dock opening 13 is displaced a predetermineddistance relative to the first end 22.

The width dimensions of the bottom pad assembly 10 may be constructed toaccommodate any size loading dock 11. The drawings of the presentapplication do not limit the invention to any particular dimensions. Thebottom pad assembly 10 may be as wide or as narrow as necessary toaccomplish the intended purpose.

A bottom pad 16 extends between the first mounting bracket 12 and thesecond mounting bracket 14 for engaging a rear portion of a vehicleparked adjacent to the loading dock 11. A clearance space 18 is formedbetween the bottom pad 16 and the loading dock 11. The clearance space18 selectively receives a portion of a leveler 130 for facilitating theloading and unloading of the vehicle when the vehicle is full and theleveler 130 is not able to be lowered into the vehicle.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the leveler 130 includes aramp portion 132 and a lip portion 134. A pit 138 is formed in the floorof the loading dock 11 for accommodating the leveler 130 and anactuating mechanism, not illustrated, for raising and lowering theleveler 130. The actuating mechanism may be pneumatic or hydraulic or amechanical mechanism for selectively raising or lowering the leveler 130depending on the height of the vehicle being loaded or unloaded.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the ramp portion 132 includes a proximal end132A that is pivotally mounted at 139 to the floor of the loading dock11. The lip portion 134 includes a proximal end 134A that is hinged at136 to a distal end 132B of the ramp portion 132. The lip portion 134includes a distal end 134A that is designed to be positioned within avehicle during loading or unloading. FIG. 4 illustrates in solid linesthe leveler 130 in a vertical position for storage during non-use. Asillustrated in broken lines, the leveler 130 may be lowered to extendalong an upper portion of the pit 138 during normal operation with thelip portion 134 projecting therefrom to extend into the vehicle forspanning the gap or bottom opening formed between the vehicle and theloading dock 11.

The actuating mechanism disposed within the pit 138 is operativelyattached to the ramp portion 132 for adjusting the height of the rampportion 132 relative to the height of a particular vehicle. Theactuating mechanism is also operatively attached to the lip portion 134for selectively extending the lip portion 134 to be extended within avehicle and for imparting movement to the lip portion 134 to be angledat approximately ninety degrees relative to the ramp portion 132 when itis desired to permit the lip portion 134 to be positioned within theclearance space 18.

During normal operation of the leveler 130 a problem arises when thevehicle is full and the vehicle needs to be unloaded or the vehicle isbeing loaded and workers are attempting to load the rear of the vehicle.During these times, the lip portion 134 cannot extend into the vehicle.As illustrated in FIG. 4, in an alternative position illustrated inbroken lines, the actuation mechanism may be activated to impartmentmovement to the lip portion 134 so that the lip portion 134 projectsdownwardly into the clearance space 18 to permit the lip portion 134 tobe out of the way.

The bottom pad assembly 10 of the present invention permits the gap orspace between the vehicle and the loading dock 11 to be sealed whileproviding a clearance space 18 to permit the lip portion 134 of theleveler 130 to extend into the clearance space 18 during the initialunloading or final loading of a full vehicle.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first mounting bracket 12 includesa first flange 12A mounted on the dock 11 by means of bolts 12B-12F. Thesecond mounting bracket 14 includes a second flange 14A mounted on thedock 11 by means of bolts 14B-14F. The bottom pad 16 extends between thefirst mounting bracket 12 and the second mounting bracket 14 and isadjustable relative to said first flange 12A and the second flange 14Afor permitting the bottom pad 16 to be raised and lowered relative tothe height of the floor of the vehicle parked adjacent to a loading dock11.

A first bumper 32 is mounted adjacent to the first mounting bracket 12.A second bumper 34 is mounted adjacent to the second mounting bracket14. The bottom pad 16 extends outwardly from the first bumper 32 andsecond bumpers 34 for providing a resilient engagement with the vehicleparked adjacent to a loading dock for sealing the space or gap disposedtherebetween.

The bottom pad 16 may be constructed on any suitable foam material. In apreferred embodiment, the foam material is covered with a fabric toprotect the foam material in a waterproof environment during normal use.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottom pad assembly 10 includes abottom pad pan 140 for supporting the bottom pad 16. The bottom pad pan140 extends between the first mounting bracket 12 and the secondmounting bracket 14, not illustrated, and is mounted relative theretofor selectively being vertically moved for manually positioning thebottom pad 16 at a proper elevation relative to a vehicle parked at aloading dock 11. The first mounting bracket 12 includes a mountingmember 12G for forming a receiving opening for accommodating a firstflange member 146 and for retaining the first flange member 146 relativethereto by means of a bolt 160 or any suitable fastening mechanism. Thesecond mounting bracket 14 includes a similar attaching mechanism forsecuring the bottom pad pan 140 to the second mounting bracket 14.

The bottom pad pan 140 includes a top angle 142 and a bottom angle 144.The top angle 142 is mounted relative to an upper portion 16A of thebottom pad 16 and the bottom angle 144 is mounted relative to a lowerportion 16B of the bottom pad 16.

A first flange member 146 is secured to a first end 140A of the bottompad pan 140 and a second flange member 148 is secured to a second end140B of the bottom pad pan 140. The first flange member 146 is adaptedto be mounted relative to the first mounting bracket 12 and the secondflange member 148 is adapted to be mounted relative to said secondmounting bracket 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom pad assembly 10 includes abottom draft plug 40 movably positioned with the clearance space 18 fornormally sealing a lower portion 42 of the clearance space 18. Thebottom draft plug 40 is selectively displaced from the lower portion 42by a lowered leveler lip or manual tool from above for removing debrisdisposed within said clearance space.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bottom pad assembly 10 includes a firstelastic cord member 152 secured to a first end 40A of the bottom draftplug 40 and a second elastic cord member 154 secured to a second end 40Bof the bottom draft plug 40 for selectively raising the bottom draftplug 40 into the lower position for reducing air infiltration withinsaid clearance space.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intendedto be included within the scope of the following claims.

1. A bottom pad assembly for sealing a bottom opening formed when avehicle is parked adjacent to a loading dock comprising: a firstmounting bracket adapted to be positioned adjacent to a first end of adock opening; a second mounting bracket adapted to be positionedadjacent to second end of a dock opening, the second end being displaceda predetermined distance relative to the first end; a bottom padextending between the first mounting bracket and the second mountingbracket for engaging a rear portion of a vehicle parked adjacent to aloading dock; and a clearance space formed between the bottom pad and aloading dock, said clearance space is adapted to selectively receive aportion of a leveler for facilitating the loading and unloading of avehicle when the vehicle is full and the leveler is not able to belowered into the vehicle.
 2. The bottom pad assembly according to claim1, wherein said first mounting bracket includes a first flange adaptedto be mounted on a loading dock and said second mounting bracketincludes a second flange adapted to be mounted on a loading dock, saidbottom pad extending between said first mounting bracket and said secondmounting bracket.
 3. The bottom pad assembly according to claim 1, andfurther including a first bumper mounted adjacent to said first mountingbracket and a second bumper mounted adjacent to said second mountingbracket, said bottom pad extending outwardly from said first and secondbumpers for providing a resilient engagement with a vehicle parkedadjacent to a loading dock for sealing a space disposed therebetween. 4.The bottom pad assembly according to claim 1, and further including abottom draft plug movably positioned within said clearance space fornormally sealing a lower portion of said clearance space and forselectively being displaced from said lower portion for removing debrisdisposed within said clearance space.
 5. The bottom pad assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the leveler includes a hinged sectiondisposed adjacent to a distal end of the leveler wherein the hingedsection is accommodated within said clearance space when the vehicle isfull and the hinged section of the leveler is not able to be loweredinto the vehicle.
 6. The bottom pad assembly according to claim 1,wherein said bottom pad is vertically adjustable relative to said firstmounting bracket and said second mounting bracket.
 7. The bottom padassembly according to claim 6, and further including a bottom pad panfor supporting said bottom pad, said bottom pad pan extending betweensaid first mounting bracket and said second mounting bracket and beingmounted relative thereto for selective vertical movement for manuallypositioning said bottom pad at a proper elevation relative to a vehicleparked at a loading dock.
 8. The bottom pad assembly according to claim7, wherein said bottom pad pan includes a top angle and a bottom angle,said top angle is mounted relative to an upper portion of said bottompad and said bottom angle is mounted relative to a lower portion of saidbottom pad.
 9. The bottom pad assembly according to claim 7, and furtherincluding a first flange member secured to a first end of said bottompad pan and a second flange member secured to a second end of saidbottom pad pan, said first flange member being adapted to be mountedrelative to said first mounting bracket and said second flange memberbeing adapted to be mounted relative to said second mounting bracket.10. The bottom pad assembly according to claim 4, and further includinga first elastic cord member secured to a first end of said bottom draftplug and a second elastic cord member secured to a second end of saidbottom draft plug for selectively raising said bottom draft plug intosaid lower position for reducing air infiltration within said clearancespace.
 11. A bottom pad assembly for sealing a bottom opening formedwhen a vehicle is parked adjacent to a loading dock comprising: a bottompad adapted to be positioned to span an opening in a loading dock, saidbottom pad disposed relative to a floor surface of a loading dock forengaging a rear portion of a vehicle parked adjacent to a loading dock;and a clearance space formed between the bottom pad and a loading dock,said clearance space is adapted to selectively receive a portion of aleveler for facilitating the loading and unloading of a vehicle when thevehicle is full and the leveler is not able to be lowered into thevehicle.
 12. The bottom pad assembly according to claim 11, and furtherincluding a first mounting bracket having a first flange adapted to bemounted on a loading dock and a second mounting bracket having a secondflange adapted to be mounted on a loading dock, said bottom padextending between said first mounting bracket and said second mountingbracket.
 13. The bottom pad assembly according to claim 12, and furtherincluding a first bumper mounted adjacent to said first mounting bracketand a second bumper mounted adjacent to said second mounting bracket,said bottom pad extending outwardly from said first and second bumpersfor providing a resilient engagement with a vehicle parked adjacent to aloading dock for sealing a space disposed therebetween.
 14. The bottompad assembly according to claim 11, and further including a bottom draftplug movably positioned within said clearance space for normally sealinga lower portion of said clearance space and for selectively beingdisplaced from said lower portion for removing debris disposed withinsaid clearance space.
 15. The bottom pad assembly according to claim 11,wherein the leveler includes a hinged section disposed adjacent to adistal end of the leveler wherein the hinged section is accommodatedwithin said clearance space when the vehicle is full and the hingedsection of the leveler is not able to be lowered into the vehicle. 16.The bottom pad assembly according to claim 12, wherein said bottom padis vertically adjustable relative to said first mounting bracket andsaid second mounting bracket.
 17. The bottom pad assembly according toclaim 16, and further including a bottom pad pan for supporting saidbottom pad, said bottom pad pan extending between said first mountingbracket and said second mounting bracket and being mounted relativethereto for selective vertical movement for manually positioning saidbottom pad at a proper elevation relative to a vehicle parked at aloading dock.
 18. The bottom pad assembly according to claim 17, whereinsaid bottom pad pan includes a top angle and a bottom angle, said topangle is mounted relative to an upper portion of said bottom pad andsaid bottom angle is mounted relative to a lower portion of said bottompad.
 19. The bottom pad assembly according to claim 17, and furtherincluding a first flange member secured to a first end of said bottompad pan and a second flange member secured to a second end of saidbottom pad pan, said first flange member being adapted to be mountedrelative to said first mounting bracket and said second flange memberbeing adapted to be mounted relative to said second mounting bracket.20. The bottom pad assembly according to claim 14, and further includinga first elastic cord member secured to a first end of said bottom draftplug and a second elastic cord member secured to a second end of saidbottom draft plug for selectively raising said bottom draft plug intosaid lower position for reducing air infiltration within said clearancespace.
 21. The bottom pad assembly according to claim 14, wherein saidbottom draft plug may be selectively pushed down out of said clearancespace by at least one of a lower leveler lip and a manual tool to allowdebris disposed within said clearance space to drop out.